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Phew. I saw people mentioning the 2007 Appalachian State game on Twitter. However, I couldn’t stop thinking about the 2013 game against Akron. As the game went along, I felt like Michigan was going to pull it out with a goal line stand or just an outstanding play by the defense. Not because they’re great, but because they’re better than Army. In that 2013 Akron game, Jarrod Wilson ended the game with an interception. In the 2019 Army version, it was Kwity Paye with a sack and a fumble.

Michigan is #37 in rushing after one week (233 yards) with the leading rusher being freshman Zach Charbonnet (8 carries, 90 yards). The Wolverines are massive up front, even if slightly less massive at left tackle with starter Jon Runyan, Jr. has been out with injury; his replacement, the 299-pound freshman Ryan Hayes, was named the team’s MVP last week. The Wolverines are mostly an inside zone team. Army’s defensive tackles are a 5’11”, 282-pounder and a 6’4″, 260-pounder. They run a 4-3 look with leading tackler Cole Christiansen (6’2″, 225 lbs.) as a senior and returning starter. The Black Knights gave up 181 yards on 30 attempts last week against Rice. Michigan should be able to gain yards in chunks on the ground.Advantage: Michigan

MICHIGAN PASS OFFENSE vs. ARMY PASS DEFENSE

Michigan started off hot last week but throttled down the passing game once it was clear that quarterback Shea Patterson was rattled (due to a rib injury) and that Middle Tennessee State wasn’t going to mount a comeback. Patterson threw for 203 yards and 3 touchdowns on 58.3% completions. The leading receiver was redshirt sophomore Tarik Black (4 catches, 80 yards, 1 TD), who was considered to be a backup coming into the season; the availability of nominal starter Donovan Peoples-Jones is unknown after suffering an ankle injury in practice a couple weeks ago. Army allowed just 50% completions against the Owls last week for 62 yards total on 4.4 yards/attempt. They did not make any sacks and finished #69 nationally in sacks last year. Their most dangerous defensive back in senior Jaylon McClinton (5’10”, 200), who has 4 career interceptions.Advantage: Michigan

MICHIGAN RUSH DEFENSE vs. ARMY RUSH OFFENSE

This is the most interesting matchup of the game. Will Michigan’s thin defensive interior be able to hold up against Army’s triple option? Army has four starting linemen who are 290+ pounds (the left tackle is 265), but they cut block like crazy. Michigan was already thin at defensive tackle coming into the season, and that was before Donovan Jeter missed week one and Mike Dwumfour missed all but one snap. Both will supposedly return to action this week, but they have one combined snap. Other options at defensive tackle include former fullback Ben Mason and former linebacker Carlo Kemp. Michigan was led in tackles last week by Viper Khaleke Hudson (8 tackles) on the way to allowing 67 yards on 2.4 yards/carry. Army rushed for 231 yards on 4.1 yards/carry last week. Quarterback Kelvin Hopkins (21 carries, 80 yards, 1 TD) and fullback Sandon McCoy (20 carries, 70 yards) were last week’s leading rushers.Advantage: Michigan

MICHIGAN PASS DEFENSE vs. ARMY PASS OFFENSE

What pass offense? Army threw just 8 passes last week, completing 3 of them for 53 yards. This is the norm for a triple option offense. Run the ball a ton, and then look for big plays in the passing game. The completions went for 19, 17, and 17 yards. Meanwhile, Michigan cornerback Ambry Thomas allowed 0 receptions and made 1 interception last week, while the guy on the opposite side of him is a potential All-American. Michigan should be pretty solid against the pass as long as the starters are in the game; things get dodgy when the backups come in, because Michigan’s backup corners are inexperience or just flat-out unready for prime time.Advantage: Michigan

ROSTER NOTES

Army players from Michigan include: DE Henry Janeway (Utica Eisenhower)

LAST TIME THEY PLAYED…

Michigan is 4-3 against Army since 1949

All those games have been in Ann Arbor except the 1950 contest, which was in New York City

On October 6, 1962, Michigan ran 70 times for 276 yards and 2 touchdowns (throwing only 10 times)

Defensive tackle Jess Speight and offensive guard Andrew Vastardis were both given scholarships for the 2019 season. That’s because Michigan is under the scholarship limit after some guys transferred (LINK).